Adjoining Room Drama

[BigAlsGal]

You'll be fine. Even if they aren't connecting they would be really close and maybe that would be a good growing experience for both of you.

 

[dansdad]

You'll be fine. Even if they aren't connecting they would be really close and maybe that would be a good growing experience for both of you.

Not necessarily. I've experienced the opposite first hand. Twice.

 

[Sue M]

The best you can do is have reservations linked as traveling together, and make connecting rooms your only request.

I would also check in with the desk when you arrive and ask if you've gotten your requests. If not you could politely ask if there are any connecting rooms you could move to.

 

[6loversofdisney]

The two choices (in our price range) would be the two rooms versus the family suite. No one wants to sleep on fold out/fold down furniture so the lesser of the two evils is a risk with the two rooms.

 

[Sue M]

The two choices (in our price range) would be the two rooms versus the family suite. No one wants to sleep on fold out/fold down furniture so the lesser of the two evils is a risk with the two rooms.

I know finding accommodation for families of 6 is difficult. Another alternative may be the cabins at Ft w? Except the living room has a fold out. The bedroom has bunk beds and a double bed.

 

[Babsy]

It is a common problem that many of us face. We usually need two rooms to accommodate our family and always request connecting rooms. Sometimes we have been lucky, sometimes not so much. You just have to realize that there are occasions when they are not able to give you what you would want. If you have to split up, you can try changing rooms later, but you will have to make the best of it. You have been fortunate so far. Hopefully your luck will continue.

As many have said, you have to choose from what is on offer. You can consider booking some larger spaces at OKW, for example, where you might find single accommodations that will fit your entire family on real beds. Renting points might be the best way for that. We are considering OKW for our next trip for that reason.
Another thing that you can do is book CL at a deluxe such as the Poly. The number and location of these rooms is limited so that you will have to be very close to one another (i.e. in the same building, at least). Also, then you have a lounge to sit around in and plan together.

I am not generally a fan of DVC, but sometimes it works best when you want to stay together.

Of course, there is always the option of renting a house and staying offsite.

Good luck!

 

[maxiesmom]

The two choices (in our price range) would be the two rooms versus the family suite. No one wants to sleep on fold out/fold down furniture so the lesser of the two evils is a risk with the two rooms.

I've slept on a fold out at the All Star Music, and found it decent. I shared it with one of my nieces, and slept just fine. I guess which is worse, the chance of being in rooms that don't connect, or the chance of listening to some whining about the sleeping situation?

 

[Lynne M]

I mean I understand the theory "if it's not available they can't give give you what they don't have" but surely there would be something they could try to do.

Not really, because they do provide a solution for families that don't want to be separated. Several solutions, actually. Family suites at AoA. Family suites at ASMu. Cabins at Fort Wilderness. DVC villas, in several different sizes, at several different resorts. They expect that guests who truly must have everyone together in one room will book one of those room types.

Disney makes it pretty clear that requests aren't guaranteed, and it's really best to take them at their word. If you aren't assigned to connecting rooms, the best they would do for you is allow you to change your reservation to another resort that did have a connecting room pair available, or a suite or villa. And that change might very well be more expensive.

They really do try to give people connecting rooms when requested. But it's quite possible to have more guests requesting connecting rooms at a resort than there are connecting room pairs, so they can't satisfy everyone.

 

[Aurora0427]

We requested connecting rooms at Wilderness Lodge in 2014 and got it- my in-laws were in the other room and they're DEFINITELY over 18!

I'd put it as your only room request. If the rooms are available, you'll probably get your request.

 

[Aurora0427]

The two choices (in our price range) would be the two rooms versus the family suite. No one wants to sleep on fold out/fold down furniture so the lesser of the two evils is a risk with the two rooms.

I don't blame you... My mom slept on the pull out sofa for one night at AoA in a Nemo suite back in October, and she said one night was enough. Those couches are not comfortable.

 

[marchingstar]

I think someone suggested it already, but what about a cabin at fort wilderness? if I remember right from my recent searching a cabin is actually cheaper than a family suite at AoA (under the spring promo--and if you're in the world at other non-peak times, I'm guessing you'll find similar discounts). plus no one would be sleeping on foldaway beds

 

[bcbmommy]

Maybe it depends on where you're staying. I've been told twice that we are guaranteed adjoining rooms at the YC because we're a family with children.

 

[dansdad]

Maybe it depends on where you're staying. I've been told twice that we are guaranteed adjoining rooms at the YC because we're a family with children.

No, it doesn't matter.

 

[bcbmommy]

No, it doesn't matter.

I'm just repeating what they've told me twice now (a couple weeks ago and today).

 

[gwynne]

Maybe it depends on where you're staying. I've been told twice that we are guaranteed adjoining rooms at the YC because we're a family with children.

The phone CM's sometimes way over promise what can be guaranteed. I totally believe you were told that, but that isn't the actual policy.
And I think it's awful when they do things like this. It's better to be upfront, than raise expectations. In other words, they will try to accommodate you, but it's not guaranteed. If you run into a pickle, I'd ask the front desk if you can make a change after the first night.

 

[Minniesgal]

This is the exact reason we bought DVC for our family of 5 so we can book a 2 bedroom. It is really the only solid solution where all can have real beds.

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm just repeating what they've told me twice now (a couple weeks ago and today).

Unfortunately the people that told you that have no control whatsoever over room assignments. It is pretty awful they will tell guests that, when Disney's own web site states connecting rooms are a request only and not guaranteed. Rooms are not blocked out as we book them, and Disney does not keep track of connecting rooms going in and out of inventory. You are up to the mercy of the room assigners, and up to the whims of whoever may arrive before you at the resort, and want what you have asked for.

 

[dansdad]

I'm just repeating what they've told me twice now (a couple weeks ago and today).

They really need to stop telling people that. Twice we were verbally told connecting rooms were guaranteed because we had more kids than adults. Both times our email confirmation said connecting guaranteed. Our Mickey Mail for both said connecting guaranteed. Fist stay was at POR and we were in 2 different buildings not close to each other. The other stay was at BC and we were on different floors on opposite sides.

 

[Dug720]

Also with the requests, PLEASE be clear what you are requesting. If you are requesting a door between the rooms, that is CONNECTING. If you request ADJOINING, the rooms could be next door to each other but without the door, around the corner from each other but they essentially share a wall, or in places where there are interior hallways they could be across the hall from each other. If you requested adjoining and got any of those, you DID get what you asked for.

I used to work in a hotel reservations department, and part of our training was to clarify what the guest meant if they made that request - again, stressing that it was only a request. Still, either the guests didn't listen or other reservation agents got lazy or forgot to clarify (or in some cases their travel agent failed to clarify and passed along the request as the guest made it) and invariably there would be people who would arrive at the front desk having indeed been given their request for "adjoining rooms" who would pitch fits because the rooms were not connecting.

This is one case where the wording DOES matter.

(I'm specifically noting this because the OP actually used both terms in his/her post - so that would only add to the confusion. One or the other depending on what you are requesting.)

 

[bcbmommy]

They really need to stop telling people that. Twice we were verbally told connecting rooms were guaranteed because we had more kids than adults. Both times our email confirmation said connecting guaranteed. Our Mickey Mail for both said connecting guaranteed. Fist stay was at POR and we were in 2 different buildings not close to each other. The other stay was at BC and we were on different floors on opposite sides.

Oh my goodness, that would not be okay with me! 2 different floors? Did they get it changed for you? Ugh.